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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that slimming world doesn't work?

358 replies

Waifwafer · 07/01/2022 16:43

Many of my friends (including myself) have joined Slimming World over the years. There is a trend - they all lost quite a substantial amount of weight over a relatively short period of time. Kept it off for no more than six months, then ended up putting it all back on... Sometimes more.

Looking at the plan, it doesn't look like a sustainable, long term lifestyle and it doesn't even seem like a healthy way to lose weight. Viewing treats as "syns" seems dangerous. Encouraging in group for members to eat unlimited pasta is ludicrous. It's essentially a calorie deficit just like every other method of losing weight, but encourages members to view food in a negative way.

Also, the whole experience is based on the number on the scales, which may fluctuate week-on-week and not actually be anything to do with fat loss.

AIBU to think that Slimming World is all a big con and doesn't work on a long term basis?

OP posts:
Andtheyalllookjustthesame · 07/01/2022 23:20

If it worked skimming world would go bust, wouldn't it? Horrible business model to permanently solve your clients issues.

mumda · 07/01/2022 23:21

@Babyg1995

You only put the weight back on if you go back to eating rubbish and over eating again Confused
If we could do that we wouldn't need slimming world to start with.
tectonicplates · 07/01/2022 23:29

Several people have asked why Slimming World is being singled out when there so many other diets out there that are equally as bad. It's because Slimming World is the worst one for claiming it's not actually a diet, it's just a lifestyle change and general healthy eating, therefore it's not a diet like all those other groups like WW. I've heard so many SW people claiming it's different, not like all those other ones out there, so it often takes people a bit longer to realise that no, actually it is a diet.

MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 07/01/2022 23:32

@Andtheyalllookjustthesame

If it worked skimming world would go bust, wouldn't it? Horrible business model to permanently solve your clients issues.
Exactly.
BigFatLiar · 07/01/2022 23:43

It's because Slimming World is the worst one for claiming it's not actually a diet,C, therefore it's not a diet like all those other groups like WW.

I think the key to it is "it's just a lifestyle change and general healthy eating" If you don't accept the idea that you're going to have to change your eating habits permanently it won't work.

This isn't unique to SW, it goes for any diet. They only work while you do them.

ArblemarzipanTFruitcake · 08/01/2022 00:51

@tectonicplates

They can claim all they like that syns stand for "synergy", but come on, it's obviously designed to sound like sins, i.e. bad things. Surely nobody is fooled by this ridiculous claim.
It's the other way round. It used to be 'sins' back in the early 90s - as a sort of jocular reference to limiting the amount of 'bad' stuff you ate. Then WeightWatchers started advertising themselves as 'the diet where no food's a sin' and SW changed it to 'syn' - supposedly short for 'synergy'.

It's all pretty nonsensical as spending 'syns' on SW is no different from using 'points' on WW on things that are high in sugar and fat. It's common sense that you can't eat much of those foods (particularly sugary ones) if you want to lose weight.

My personal experience is that it's better to cut them out altogether, apart from as a very occasional treat - losing the habit is the best long-term approach and if you cut added sugar from your diet, you get more satisfaction from naturally occurring sugars in foods with better nutritional value; i.e. fruit and veg.

ivykaty44 · 08/01/2022 04:54

Babyg1995
You only put the weight back on if you go back to eating rubbish and over eating again confused
If we could do that we wouldn't need slimming world to start with.

But surely SW is there giving you the information on the life style change, if you revert back and don’t continue to attend, you can’t blame A duet group for those actions, it’s free to keep attending whilst within your goal weight

tabulahrasa · 08/01/2022 05:13

“It's because Slimming World is the worst one for claiming it's not actually a diet, it's just a lifestyle change and general healthy eating, therefore it's not a diet like all those other groups like WW.”

They all claim that...I’ve tried many ways of losing weight, that’s how they all try and sell themselves.

sageandbasil · 08/01/2022 05:38

YABU... I followed SW and had lost 2 stone in 6 months, I went from 11st to 9st... kept it off for 2 years and am only bigger now because I had a baby 6 weeks ago-still not at the weight I was when I joined tho... I was sceptical about joining but I love you can eat and drink whatever you want and you have to cook from scratch. Joining again at the end of the month!

ScholesPanda · 08/01/2022 05:42

Diet plan doesn't work unless you stick to it, shock news!
I did Slimming World and lost weight, stopped because I thought I could do it myself, put it back on. I don't think they advertise anything different though- once you lose the weight you're supposed to stay on the 'maintenance' plan for the rest of your life I think.

sageandbasil · 08/01/2022 05:43

Also it's designed for overweight people isn't it seen as it's a diet- the syns are 300 calories of junk food free to spend as you wish... chocolate, crisis etc.. most overweight people have a lot more than 300 cals in junk food a day,
I like that whilst on a diet I can still have a glass of wine and chocolate and I haven't "ruined" my diet

sageandbasil · 08/01/2022 05:45

Also where's the accountability... people are saying SW worked for them then they came off it and put all the weight back on.... yes that's what happens when you stop following a diet... SW dosent magic off the pounds for life 🙄🙄

ScholesPanda · 08/01/2022 05:45

@ScholesPanda

Diet plan doesn't work unless you stick to it, shock news! I did Slimming World and lost weight, stopped because I thought I could do it myself, put it back on. I don't think they advertise anything different though- once you lose the weight you're supposed to stay on the 'maintenance' plan for the rest of your life I think.
N.B. I'm as overweight as ever, and have a lot of empathy for anyone trying to lose weight, but these plans all require you to stay on them forever so YABU
lololololollll · 08/01/2022 05:54

Sometimes slimming world people pop up on my Instagram and I get obsessed with looking at the mad unhealthy meals they're eating. They're massive portions of shit and they're boasting like they're doing great. I find it mental. I'm dieting but I'm not overweight, just some awful stubborn baby fat (ok ok crisps, cheese fat etc too haha) and I would never dream of eating the stuff and portion sizes they do on slimming world. Baffling

MissTrip82 · 08/01/2022 06:11

Fat free yoghurts may be a ‘chemical shit storm’ (a description one could surely also apply to water) but they’re unlikely to be the reason why someone has achieved a BMI of 40.

As for the person who found three meals containing eggs and beans and plenty of vegetables to be ‘too light on protein’ 😂😂😂😂😂

I imagine this is like any other programme - full of evangelists but as usual likely to work if you follow it properly and likely to stop working when you go back to your old habits. It really won’t be the light yoghurt that spells your obesity downfall.

SquirrelG · 08/01/2022 06:24

I agree with what others have said. The problem is not Slimming World itself but the fact that people tell themselves they are on a "diet" and once they lose weight think that they can return to their old habits. To keep the weight off people have to actually change the way they eat for the rest of their life, and not think of it as a "diet".

IWentAwayIStayedAway · 08/01/2022 06:32

Skimmed posts and seen at least 1 other person mentioned team rh. They are on facebook so no cost to follow them. Simple message of calories in and calories out. I lost 4 stone following their principals. Walking 15k steps a day and tracking food on my fitness pal. Really important to weigh food to get right info. Faff to start with then becomes a habit. Highly recommend

Fairyliz · 08/01/2022 06:39

I think it must be like a weird cult. I have a friend who must have been going for the last 20 years and she keeps losing and gaining the same two stones.
I find it strange that she keeps trying to educate me on these syns despite the fact that I have been the same weight in all that time.

babs7051 · 08/01/2022 08:10

I

EishetChayil · 08/01/2022 08:14

It baffles me that people still pay good money for this. There's so much free advice online.

2020nymph · 08/01/2022 08:14

@Waifwafer

To the person that asked why syns are dangerous: The mindset that SW tries to get you into regarding these food types is not a healthy one in my opinion. For instance, why should avocado be classed as a syn? Yes, it's highly calorific but is also full of vitamins and nutrients and can be beneficial in many ways. However, SW puts it on the naughty list. It just doesn't make sense to me. The word "syn" is also poorly chosen, as it literally translates/sounds to me like: "it's a sin to eat X".

I completely agree with this. Also I hadn't realised that avocado was a syn until I had a buffet which some family who are doing SW attended.

There was a lot of talk about bad food which has had an impact on my children's thinking. DS1 still won't eat anything on the table that was deemed bad. Interestingly he will eat crisps that aren't the type on the table but not soreen bars. This used to be a lunchbox staple because it was on the table and they said it was bad.

Its worrying the impact this behaviour will have on children.

00100001 · 08/01/2022 08:21

@EishetChayil

It baffles me that people still pay good money for this. There's so much free advice online.
It's about going to group really. You have "accountability".
00100001 · 08/01/2022 08:26

@lololololollll

Sometimes slimming world people pop up on my Instagram and I get obsessed with looking at the mad unhealthy meals they're eating. They're massive portions of shit and they're boasting like they're doing great. I find it mental. I'm dieting but I'm not overweight, just some awful stubborn baby fat (ok ok crisps, cheese fat etc too haha) and I would never dream of eating the stuff and portion sizes they do on slimming world. Baffling
Well that's interesting, because the goeios I'm on, people are having dinners like

Smoked salmon and salad
Chicken curry, veg and rice
Spaghetti Bolognese
Chilli and jacket potato with a side if salad.
Cheese, pickles and crackers

Just because SOME people have odd concoctions, because they forget that they can have whatever they want.

Like once, someone was complaining at group about how the really wanted 2 slices of bread, but "couldn't".... I pointed out that they can indeed, they just need to Syn the second slice... They were all like "ohhhhhhhhhhh".

The plan does work, if you follow it, because it's just basically following the basic notion of some carbs, some protein and lots of fruit/veggies. And limit high cal foods.

FuggyPidding · 08/01/2022 08:29

@Yummayumma

At the end of the day any diet that says 2 litres of Diet Coke is better for you than an avocado is not a healthy eating plan.
Wow, is this true?? That's shocking.

At the end of the day, SW is a business. Most businesses need returning customers. I guess they want (need) people to 'fail' to keep the money coming in...

picklemewalnuts · 08/01/2022 08:37

If you have a healthy relationship with food, you probably don't need SlimmingWorld. Or perhaps only for a short time, losing baby weight or similar.

If you've struggled with your weight for years, you aren't going to stop struggling because you've done a year at SlimmingWorld.

I've done almost 18 months at slimming world- the first year actively losing (almost 6 stone), the last few months doing maintenance.
They are really clear that you have to learn how to eat the right things and the right quantities.
They are really clear that you need to exercise.
They are really clear that when you reach target weight you need to keep attending meetings (no charge).

It's like alcoholic anonymous. No one says that a fail because people keep going.

I have a problem with food. At least, my body does! I will need to be careful about my intake for the rest of my life. Of course I will.

That isn't slimming world's fault!